Table



April 21, 1936. c. CREECH. JR

TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April 12, 1932 INVENTOR. (Win55 L. ('KEE'C'H, JR.

XZW fi ATTORNEYS.

April 21', 1 936. C. CREECH, J ".R ,9

TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 12, 1952 a N Hm ATTORNEY-5.

Reissued Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Original No. 1,932,883,

dated October 31, 1933,

Serial No. 604,845, April 12, 1932. Application for reissue September 10, 1934, Serial No.

14 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to furniture, and has more particular reference to a table.

In accordance with the present invention an improved extension table, such as a refectory table or the like is provided, the top of the table having extension sections which when not in use are located beneath the fixed or main top section, and which when in use are secured in the same plane with the main top section through the medium of interengaging means carried by the main top section and the extension top section.

The invention together with its numerous ob- Jects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of the invention, the extension top sections being arranged in their outermost positions and in the same plane with the main top section.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view with the top in fully extended position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the extension top sections being shown nestingly arranged relative to and beneath the main top section.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view showing the inter-engaging means on the main top section and the extension top section for sustaining the latter section in the same plane with the main top section.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen, that in the present or preferred form of the invention, the main top section Ill which may be of any conventional construction is shown as rectangular and is fixedly secured to an under supporting frame having sides II and ends I2. At each end of the table there is an open space between the under side of the top Ill and the upper edges of the sides II and I2; and at each end of the table there is an extension top section I3, whose length is substantially equal to the width of the top section III, and each section I3 is, when not in use adapted to be arranged within the referred to space as shown in Figure 3.

To the under side of each top section I3 there are secured two bars It, said bars It being relatively spaced, and passing through slots I 5 in the ends I2, and at their inner ends being connected by a cross bar I6.

Adjacent each end member I2 of the frame, and in parallelism thereto, there is suitably 5 mounted between the sides II a reinforcing bar H, the same being preferably of metal and having a flanged upper edge suitably secured to the under side of the table top section III at Ill and sides II at III. Bars III] are suitably secured to 10 member I1 and to the table III at II to. Each bar I! is provided with rimmed or flanged slots or openings I8 alining with the slots I5 in an adjacent frame I2; and through these slots I 8 are slidable the inner ends of a pair of bars I4. Blocks 15 I9 are secured to the under sides of the bars I4 adjacent the inner ends of said bars and said blocks I9 have beveled ends Isa, to facilitate passage of the blocks I9 through the slots I8 when the top sectionv I3 together with its bars I4 is moved outwardly beyond the end of the table. It is also apparent, that upon such outward movement of the sections I 3, the blocks I9 passing into the slots I 8 serve to elevate the sections I3.

The sections I3 are yieldably retained in their retracted positions, that is in position beneath the table top section III through the medium of coil springs 20, each coil spring being anchored at one end I200 to a bar I1 and at a relatively opposite end I2llb to the cross bar I6 connecting that pair of bars I4 passing through the slots I8 of the other of said cross bar I1 as will be clear from a study of Figure 2.

Each bar I4 intermediate its ends has secured fixedly thereto at one side thereof a countersunk catch member 2|, which catch member 2| is in the nature of a hook the shank of which is of fiat plate like construction and is provided adjacent its upper end with a bill or extension adapted to be received in a groove 22 on the under side of the top section III and to move longitudinally of the groove in one direction to engage a keeper plate 23 countersunk as at I23 and secured at its ends by screws or other suitable fastening elements 24 to the under side of the top section I0 adjacent one end of the groove 22. With the hooks 2| so engaged with their respective plates 23 it will be seen that the tabletop section I3 will be supported from the main top section III in the same plane with said main top section, and in edge abutting relation therewith by means of the spring 20 or its equivalent.

In actual practice, when the extensions I3 are not in use they are, as before stated, arranged beneath the table top section I II, being located in the spaces between the end portions of the table top section III and the upper edges of the sides II and I2. When it is desired to enlarge the table top at either or both ends, either or both of the sections l3 may be moved outwardly, respectively. In this connection it will be noted, that when initially moved outwardly the section l3 will move straight outwardly until the inclined faces l9a of blocks I! come into contact with the rims at the lower portions of slots I8, whereupon the bars I4 will be elevated as the blocks l9 pass through the slots. When the section l3 has been moved outwardly beyond the end of the top section In in its elevated position, the section I3 is then moved backward until its inner edge engages the end edge of the section Ii). Upon backward movement of the section 13, the hooks 21 whose upper ends, upon elevation of the bars [4 in the manner just explained, were projected into the grooves 22 will move into engagement with the plates 23 so that with the, hooks 2| so engaged with the plates 23 as shown infFigure '6, the'end section l3 will be secured in its extended position and in the same plane with the main top section III, By reason of, the spring 20 associated therewith, the section l3 will be yieldably held in edge abutting relation with the main top section Ill and thus possibility of the hooks 2| being disengaged from the plates 23 is reduced to a minimum.

To retract an extension I3, the same is drawn outwardly away from the section III and then under action of the spring 20 will be urged downwardly and drawn rearwardly into its nested position beneath the top section It. Members 0 and I1 constitute an inner "frame, while sidesfll and ends l2' constitute an outer frame.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the in'ventionfit is to be understood that I do not wish to limit myself i to the precise details of construction, combine tion and arrangement of elements. herein shown, but claim all such forms of the invention topwhich I am entitled in view of'the requirements'ofthe art and the scope of, theap-pended, claims. 1

Having thus described my "invention, what'I a m a new f-l=-= i F 1. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame ther'efonand having sidesand ends, spaced apart reinforcing bars. extending between the sides of the frameQ'and respectively provided with relatively spaced, rimmediiopenings, and each end member of the frame having'dpeh ings alined with the openings in 'a' proximate reinforcing bar; pairs of sliding bars. passing, through the openings in the ends of the, frame and reinforcing bars, a'connecting bar, connecting one end of each pair of sliding bars, an extension top section connected to thefree ends. of said pair of sliding bar,s,f,or. sliding inward and outward movement therewith, there being snbpen spacebetween each end frame member'fand an adjacent end of the main top, within. which a top extension is adapted to be received, blocks attached to the inner ends of the sliding bars adapted. to pass into the openings the rein forcing ba s On Outward. movement of the extension top sections to elevate said, top sections, springs connecting the connecting bars withfthe reinforcing bars to urge the top sections when the latter are raised, inwardly into edge abutting relation with themain top, andinto abutting relation with the reinforcing bars when theftop sections are lowered, and inter-engagingmeans on the main top and on said sliding bars to hold the top sections in the same plane with the main top when the top sections are in edge abutting engagement with the main top.

2. In an extension table, a supporting frame, a main top rigidly secured thereto, there being an open space between an end portion of the frame and the top, a transverse reinforcing bar mounted in the frame and having relatively spaced openings, an extension top section, bars slidable through said openings and fixedly secured at one end to the said top section, blocks rigidly attached to the inner ends of the sliding bars adapted to engage in the openings when the bars and top section are moved outwardly beyond the end of the table to elevate the bars and top section, and inter-engaging means on the underside of the main top and on the sliding bars for holding the extension top section in the same plane with the main top when said sliding bars and top section, in elevated position, are moved backward to bring thetop section in to edge abutting relation with the main topf I i Y 3. In an extension table, the combination with a maintop and an extension top slide, of. an outer frame with an open space therein and spaced at the end from said main top to provide a nesting space for theslidean innerfframe of quadrilateral form with an open space therein and secured to the main top and the. outer frame, both openings being similarly directed and spaced bars rigid with and supporting the slide and slidable through notches in the end ofthe outrframe and operatively associated with the inner frame.

4. In an extensiontable'the combination with a main top and an extension top slide, of 'an outer frame with anopen 'space'therein and spaced at the end from said main top to provide a nesting spacefortheshfie, an innerframeof quadrilateral form with sateen space, therein and secured to thefmain top and theouter frame, both openings being similarly directed, spacedbars rigid with and supporting. the slide, and slidable through notches in the end of theouter frame and operatively. associatedwith the mnrfnamejana means connected to the inner frame'opposite the slide associated portion thereof constraining the slide toward nested position; f

5. In an extension table,.the combination with a main top and an extension top 'slide, of an outer frame with an open space thereinand spaced at the end from saidfma in top to provide a nesting space for the slide, an inner frame of quadrilateral form with an open spacetherein and segmentin main topandlthe outer frame,

both openings heing similarly. directed, spaced bars rigid with afids'u pcrnng the slideand; snuable through'notches in theend of the outer frame and operatively associated. with the inner frame, and means carried by a bar and the main top for sustaining the slide in aligned position and in main top alignment;

6. In anextension table, the combination with a main top and an extension top slide, of an outer frame within open space th i straining the slide, toward nested position. and;

means carried by a bar and the main top for sustaining the slide in elevated position and in main top alignment and constrained by said constraining means to maintain such position and alignment.

7. In an extension table, the combination with a supporting frame means, a main top rigidly secured thereto, but providing an openspace between an end portion of the frame and the top, an exten sion top slide nestable in the open space between the main top and frame and movable outwardly and upwardly therefrom and thence rearwardly into alignment with the main top, spaced bars secured at one end to the extension top slide andto the underside thereof, and means tending to prevent separation of the extension top and the main top in the plane of the latter, of cooperative means carried by each of said bars and by the underside of said top, said cooperative means constituting the sole means for supporting the extension slide when in alignment with and abutting the main top irrespective of warpage in the latter.

8. In an extension table, the combination with a supporting frame means, a main top rigidly secured thereto, but providing an open space between an end portion of the frame and the top, an extension top slide nestable in the open space between the main top and frame and movable outwardly and upwardly therefrom and thence rearwardly into alignment with the main top, spaced bars secured at one end to the extension top slide and to the underside thereof, and means tending to prevent separation of the extension top and the main top in the plane of the latter, of cooperative means carried by each of said bars and by the underside of said top, the end of said frame means being notched to slidably support said bars, the notching registering with the open space and permitting freedom of up and down movement of the bars when the extension top slide is fully projected from the nested position, said cooperating means constituting the sole means for supporting the extension when in alignment with and abutting the main top irrespective of warpage in the latter.

9. In an extension table, the combination with a supporting frame means, a main top rigidly secured thereto, but providing an open space between an end portion of the frame and the top, an extension top slide nestable in the open space between the main top and frame and movable outwardly and upwardly therefrom and thence rearwardly into alignment with the main top, spaced bars secured at one end to the extension top slide and to the underside thereof, and means tending to prevent separation of the extension top and the main top in the plane of the latter, of cooperative means carried by each of said bars and by the underside of said top, said cooperative means constituting the sole means for supporting the extension slide when in alignment with and abutting the main top irrespective of warpage in the latter, each of said co-' operating means including a plate countersunk into the underside of the table top, the latter in juxtaposition thereto being recessed for reception of another member of said cooperating means, said other member being nestingly mounted on said bar and projecting upwardly therefrom and longitudinally of the bar and oppositely from the extension top supported by the bar and temiinating below the projection of the top plane of the extension top and including an undercut portion below the top of the bar supported member for engaging said plate.

- 10. In an extension table, the combination with a supporting frame means, a main top rigidly secured thereto, but providing an open space between an end portion of the frame and the top, an extension top slide nestable in the open space between the main top and frame and movable outwardly and upwardly therefrom and thence rearwardlyflinto alignment with the main top, spaced bars secured at one end to the extension top slide and to the underside thereof, and means tending to. prevent separation of the extension top and the main top in the plane of the latter, of cooperative-means carried by each of said bars and by the underside of said top, the end of said frame means being notched to slidably support said bars, the notching registering with the open space and permitting freedom of up and down movement of the bars when the extension top slide is fully projected from the nested position, said cooperating means constituting the sole means for supporting the extension when in alignment with and abutting the main top irrespective of warpage in the latter, each of said cooperating means including a plate countersunk into the underside of the table top, the latter in juxtaposition thereto being recessed for reception of another member of said cooperating means, said other member being nestingly mounted on said bar and projecting upwardly therefrom and longitudinally of the bar and oppositely from the extension top supported by the bar and terminating below the projection of the top plane of the extension top and including an undercut portion below the top of the bar supported member for engaging said plate.

11. In an extension table, the combination with a supporting frame means, a main top rigidly secured thereto, but providing an open space between an end portion of the frame and the top, an extension top slide nestable in the open space between the main top and frame and moveable outwardly and upwardly therefrom and thence rearwardly into alignment with the main top, and spaced bars secured at one end to the extension top slide and to the underside thereof, of cooperative means carried by each of said bars and by the underside of said top, said cooperative means constituting the sole means for supporting the extension slide when in alignment with and abutting the main top irrespective of.

warpage in the latter.

12. In an extension table, the combination with a supporting frame means, a main top rigidly secured thereto, but providing an open space between an end portion of the frame and the top, an extension top slide nestable in the open space between the main topand frame and movable outwardly and upwardly therefrom and thence rearwardly into alignment with the main top, and spaced bars secured at one end to the extension top slide and to the underside thereof, of cooperative means carried by each of said bars and by the underside of said top, the end of said frame means being notched to slidably support said bars, the notching registering with the open space and permitting freedom of up and down movement of the bars when the extension top slide is fully projected from the nested position, said cooperating means constituting the sole means for supporting the extension when in alignment with and abutting the main top irrespective of warpage in the latter.

13. In an extension table, the combination with a supporting frame meals, a main toptkidiy secured thereto, but providing. an open space between an end portion of the the top, an extension top slide nestable in thocpcn space between the main topand frame wardly and upwardly thereirom andthence rearwardly into alignment with the main top, and spaced bars secured at one endtothe extension top slide and to the underside thereon of cooperative means carried by each 01'. said bars and by the underside of said top, said cooperative means constituting the sole means for supporting the extension slide when in alignment with: and abutting the main top irrespective of warpage in the latter, each of said cooperating memincluding a plate countersunk into the underside of the table top, the latter in juxtaposition thereto being recessed for receptmn: ot'. anothermempber of said cooperatingv means, said other member being nestingly mounted (a said. bar and projecting upwardly therefrom and longitudinally of the bar and oppositely from theettensiui top supported by the bar and terminating below the projection of the top plane of the extension top and including an undercutportionbelow the top of the bar supported" memberior engaging said plate. a

14. In an extension table, the combination with a supporting frame means, a main top rigidly secured thereto, but providing an open space between an end portion or! the frame and the top. an extension top slide nestable in the open space between the main top and frame and movable outwardly and upwardly therefrom and thence rearwardly into alignment with the main top, and spaced bars secured at one end to the extension top slide and to the underside thereof, of cooperative means carried by each of said bars and by the underside of said top, the end of said frame means being notched to slidably support said bars, the notching registering with the open space and permitting freedom of up and down movement of the bars when the extension top slide is fully projected from the nested position, said cooperating means constituting the sole means for supporting the extension when in alignment with and abutting the main. top irrespective of warpage in the latter, each of said cooperating means including a plate countersunk into the underside of the table top, the latter in juxtaposition thereto being recessed for reception of another member of said coopmeans, said other member being nestingly mounted on said bar and projecting upwardly therefrom and longitudinally of the bar and oppositely from the extension top supported by the bar and. terminating below the projection of the top plane of the extension top and including an undercut portion below the top of the bar supported member for engaging said plate.

CHARLES L. CREECH, JR. 

